City Of Fountain Valley: Coyote Notification

Fountain Valley CA

08 January, 2021

1:39 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Fountain Valley: January 08, 2021 There has been concerns with the increase in coyote sightings or interactions in the area surrounding the old Moiola Elementary school site.  This can possibly be attributed to residents using the school field as a makeshift dog park.  With a large number of dogs in the area, this will undoubtedly concentrate the odor of dogs along with the scent of their urine and feces in the school site.  This only serves to attract coyotes to the area in search of prey.  The attraction is further compounded with the ease of access to the area since the flood control channel runs along the south side of the  site.  Coyotes will use flood control channels to travel throughout the area.   Residents are advised to not use the fields as a dog park and to properly pick up after their pets.  Residents are also advised to keep their dogs on a leash (6 feet maximum). Failure to do so may result in a citation per Orange County Municipal Code 4.01.045.   The best mitigation plan to reduce coyotes city wide is to focus on eliminating or reducing the number of attractants.  Simply trapping or relocating coyotes is not feasible so long as attractants remain in place. This will only result in coyotes returning to the area.  Please call our business line at (714) 593-4485 to report coyote sightings so they may be tracked.  For attacks on humans and/or pets please call our emergency line (9-1-1).  FVPD and OC Animal Control will be dispatched to respond.  OC Animal Care can also be contacted directly at (714) 935-6848 to report aggressive coyote behavior.   Please refer to the below for tips on how to reduce attractants in your area.   FOOD  NEVER hand feed or intentionally feed a coyote.  PET FOOD  Never feed pets outdoors; store all pet food securely indoors.  WATER SOURCES  Remove water attractants (such as pet water bowls and leaky irrigation).  BIRD FEEDERS  Remove all bird feeders or clean fallen seed to reduce the presence of small mammals that coyotes prefer to eat.  FALLEN FRUIT  Clean up fallen fruit around trees.  COMPOST  Do not include meat or dairy among compost contents unless fully enclosed.  BBQ GRILL  Clean-up food around barbecue grills after each use.  TRASH  Secure all trash containers with locking lids and place curbside the morning of trash pick-up. Periodically clean cans to reduce residual odors.  LANDSCAPING  Trim vegetation to reduce hiding places and potential denning sites.  STRUCTURE/OUTBUILDINGS  Restrict access under decks and sheds, around woodpiles, or any other structure that can provide cover of denning sites of coyotes and their prey.  FENCING  Enclose property with an 8 foot fence (or 6-foot fence with an additional extension or roller-top) to deter coyotes. Ensure that there are no gaps and that the bottom of the fence extends underground 6 inches or is fitted with a mesh apron to deter coyotes from digging underneath.  PETS  Never leave pets unattended. Never allows pets to play with coyotes. Fully enclose outdoor pet kennels. Walk pets on a leash no longer than 6 feet in length. Additional Info... This press release was produced by the City of Fountain Valley. The views expressed here are the author's own.